March 27, 2013
Woodbine Twiner & Logan Herald-Observer
HOW TO GUIDE
How to choose a pharmacist
If you’re like most people, you did not choose a pharmacist, you chose a pharmacy for your medication needs. Your pharmacist is a very important part of your health care team and should be chosen carefully. In between doctor visits, your pharmacist can be an important resource for you. This is especially true if you are using multiple medications or need help with products such as blood glucose meters, asthma inhalers, or other special care items. Some key questions to ask when choosing a pharmacist include: • Does the pharmacist take time to answer your questions in a manner that you understand? • Does the pharmacist tell you about each new medication and explain such things as how and when to take the medication and what you can and cannot take with it? • Does the pharmacist have any special training in disease management, such as a certified asthma counselor? • Does the pharmacist show concern for you and your family? • Does the pharmacist recommend vitamins or supplements to take or tell you which ones you should NOT take with your prescriptions? If your current pharmacist does not meet your needs or does not take the necessary time to make sure that you understand your medications, visit other pharmacies and ask if the pharmacist has any special certifications or training. Find out if the pharmacy has any special services that they can offer you such as demonstrating a new inhaler. See if you can find a pharmacist that is easy to talk to, yet shows concern and is able to explain what you need to know as a consumer of both prescription medications and vitamin supplements. WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A PHARMACY Where your family pharmacist works should also be an important consideration when deciding how to meet your medication needs. Most people taking medications visit a pharmacy monthly and should consider several factors when choosing which pharmacy to patronize. Convenience is an important issue with all of the time pressures that people feel these days. The pharmacy should be in a convenient location with convenient parking nearby. If you are unable to get to the pharmacy, the pharmacy should make sure that your prescriptions are mailed to your home or delivered to your home or work. Having the ability to open a charge account or have a credit card kept on file for charging prescriptions is a convenient feature, especially when you are on a trip or someone else is picking up the prescription for you. The pharmacy may offer special services that set them apart from the other pharmacies. You might be interested in special packaging to make it easier to remember to take your medications. If you have diabetes, finding a pharmacy that can demonstrate several glucose monitors to find which one works best for you can make testing your blood sugar easier. Some pharmacies have the ability to “download” the readings off your diabetes monitor and print them out for you. This will help both you and your doctor control your diabetes. Ask if the pharmacy can measure your “Alc” level to check your long-term glucose control. Look for a pharmacy that offers a private counseling area so you can ask personal questions without being overheard. Other conveniences that should be taken into account include a toll-free phone number to use if you live out-of-town or are on vacation. Ordering refills over the internet is something new many progressive pharmacies now offer. Many times, you can also look up health information on the pharmacies’ web sites as well. It is a good idea to get all of your prescriptions filled at a single pharmacy. The pharmacy keeps a complete medication profile on you. These profiles record all medications that you are taking, health problems, and drug allergies that you have told the pharmacist about. By going to one pharmacy, your pharmacist will be able to continuously update your patient profile - making sure all the information is accurate. This will help avoid problems that occur when some medications are mixed. With a little effort, you should be able to find a pharmacy that will be your partner in your goal of living a healthful life.
FOR YOUR BANKING CONVENIENCE Drive-Up Hours: Mon. - Thurs: 8:00 - 4:30 Friday: 8:00 - 5:30 Saturday: 8:00 - 11:00
Lobby Hours: Mon. - Thurs: 9:00 - 3:30 Friday: 9:00 - 4:30 Saturday: Closed
Walk-Up Hours: Mon. - Fri.: 8:00 - 4:30 Saturday: 8:00-11:00
ATM 24 HOURS E-Statements now available! Home Loans • Ag Loans Visit us online: www.FTNSBank.net
Serving the residents of Western Iowa since 1892
Your Bank for Today and Tomorrow 510 Lincolnway • Woodbine, Iowa 51579 712-647-3375
Earling (712) 747-2000
www.FTNSBank.net
Harlan (712) 235-2000
7
EBY DRUG STORES Prescription Specialists
Serving Harrison County Since 1916
Please call ahead for prescription refills Woodbine: 647-2840 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Mon. thru Fri. 8:00 a.m. - Noon Saturday Closed Sunday
Logan: 644-2160 Open at 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Mon. thru Fri. 8:30 a.m. - Noon Saturday We accept Medicare Part D, Visa, Mastercard
How to switch your bank account In days of yore, switching a bank account was a tedious, timeconsuming and treacherous affair. But, not now – not at Farmer’s Trust and Savings Bank. “We make the change easy,” said Roger Kenkel, Executive VicePresident of Farmers Trust and Savings Bank in Woodbine. In the past, switching banks meant making a list of all your automatic bill pay accounts, contacting each of them to inform them of the switch and then keeping your old bank account open with a back-up deposit to make sure you didn’t miss any bills during the transition. With a switch to Farmers, all you need to do is bring in your most recent statement listing your current automatic withdrawals and deposits. The bank will assist you in acquiring and changing each of your automatic bills – whether they are a phone company, utilities or even insurance and IRA contributions. “You just sign,” Kenkel said. “And we will make it simple and easy.” The same can be done for Direct Deposit for payroll, investments, and Social Security, he said. Anyone wishing to switch their bank account to a family-owned, local bank is welcome to speak with Betty Murphy or Brenda Loftus. Farmers Trust and Savings Bank has been in business for more than 120 years. They opened their first branch in Shelby County and still have two branches there; one in Earling and another in Harlan. Their convenient locations are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday and 8-11 a.m., Saturday. They are also offering long-term, low rate home loans. To put the finishing touches on your checking account transition, the bank suggests that you shred all the checks and debit cards that came with your old account to prevent them from being used by identity thieves.